The prospect of his flight had Lopez-Alegria a bit concerned because the boyish Enomoto spoke little English and even less Russian. Ansari, 40, is a native of Iran who immigrated to the United States when she was 16.

She and her family made their fortune in the telecommunications industry.

On Sunday, hours before the rocket lifted off carrying Lopez-Alegria, flight engineer Makhail Tyurin and Ansari, the commander said he is impressed by Ansari's professionalism.

"I recognize the requirements that the Russian space agency has to keep its program alive, we can't do what we're doing without them," he said at a prelaunch press conference.

"If somebody like Anousheh can be that person, then I have come to the realization that not only is it good from a technical standpoint, just to keep the program going," Lopez-Alegria said. "But it's also good from the standpoint that she represents a great dream and a great hope for a lot of people, not just in our country and Iran, but all over the world."

"I was sincerely surprised when we started working together by the high level of professionalism she has even though she's not a professional cosmonaut," Tyurin added, speaking through a translator. "She became such a natural part of our crew we have the impression we've been working together for maybe 10 years."

Ansari said she expects to have full access to the space station.

"I have basically been told I can go anywhere as long as I am very careful and I follow the procedures that have been provided to me," she said in an interview.

My question is, if an intelligent Iranian Muslim woman can get along so well with the space shuttle crew despite her lack of professional training, why can't our dumb-ass president and his selected cronies get along with the Iranian government when both groups are comprised of trained professional bureaucrats?

It seems a bit of a stretch to say that this woman going to space with the Russians has any bearing on whether or not Muslim woman are being oppressed.

I have a friend who is gay and faces, in my opinion, very little oppression here in Vancouver, Canada. However, using that friend as an example to say that gay people are not impressed in the world would not be a valid extension.

Sadly enough, there are enough dimwits all over the internet that take anecdotal evidence as "proof" that the entire Muslim culture:1) Oppresses women2) Persecutes Christians3) Hates Jews4) is violent5) wants to rule the world with its "dangerous" doctrines of waretc etc etc..

Unfortunately there are too many people who strongly believe in that "proof" and will never be convinced otherwise, no matter how much you show them that they're idiots.

Well, lets face it, this girl is also in a family who can afford a $20 MILLION seat on a space ship and can also sponsor a $10 MILLION X prize. With that kind of money I don't doubt she is treated more than fairly.

I am not saying Muslim women are oppressed, as I'm not educated enough to make that conclusion, however I think you chose a very poor example with which to counter the mainstream vision of Muslim treatment of women.